Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HOUSE FRAMING AND APPARATUS FOR
MANUFACTURING SUCH FRAMING
The present invention relates to a wall frame system of framework construc-
tion for a building, in which the frame components of the wall frame are
joined together via splayed notch joints and in which each frame component
is provided with markings to facilitate installation.
In prior art, roughed-out framing systems for wooden buildings are known in
which, to facilitate installation, the various parts of the framework are
prefab-
ricated prior to being transported to the building site. DE specification
35 12 306 Al presents a lattice-like frame structure in which the vertical
components of each wall frame are joined to a top or bottom stringer via a
mortise and tenon joint in which both the horizontal top and bottom stringers
and the vertical component are provided with round holes into which sepa-
rate round tenons are fitted. In joints connecting adjacent wall frames at
right
angles to each other, mortise and tenon joints are used in the top stringers
in
which e.g. a central mortise of a rectangular cross-section is made in the top
side of the top stringer and the end of the wall component to be joined with
it
is then fitted into this mortise. The task of joining individual components to-
gether can be facilitated by providing them with markings allowing the right
components to be joined to each other. This prior-art solution has the draw-
back of being complex and slow. Drilling small holes for the mortise and te-
non joints at exactly the correct positions requires great precision and
plenty
of time. US patent specification 5170600 presents a prefabricated housing
addition in which dovetail joints are used to connect wall frame components
to each other and also to other parts of the wall frame. A drawback with this
solution is difficult installation, because adapting the dovetail joint so
that it
will be set in the correct position at both ends of the component at
installation
time is very difficult. Moreover, both of the aforementioned solutions are
only
used for rectangular joints in which the frame components are at right angles
to each other.
A first object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of prior-
art
solutions and to achieve a new type of wall frame system in which the marking
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on each frame component is an identifying code printed on its surface that
identifies the frame component in accordance with the construction plan, and
in
which the notch joint consists of a notch tapering toward its bottom and a
main
piece fitted into it.
Accordingly, the present invention as claimed is directed to a wooden wall
frame
system of framework construction for a building, said wall frame consisting of
top
and bottom stringers, vertical frame components fitted between them and frame
components designed especially for openings, in which the frame components
of the wall frame are joined to each other via splayed notch joints and in
which
each frame component is provided with markings to facilitate installation,
characterised in that an identifying code is defined for each frame component,
said code identifying the frame component in accordance with a construction
plan and comprising at least the type of the frame component, and that the
identifying code is printed on the surface of the frame component, and the
notch
joint consists of a splayed notch tapering toward its bottom and having a
depth
of 1 - 10 mm, and a main piece fitted into it, said main piece tapering
towards
the end and having edges that substantially correspond to the shape of the
edges of the notch.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the
fabrication of frame components for a wooden wall frame of framework
construction as defined hereinabove, which comprises a conveying the frame
component between different machining stages, a cutting station wherein the
wooden parts are cut by machine to predetermined dimensions according to the
construction plan, as well as a control unit for controlling the machining
operations. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention comprises a computer
which can be connected to the control unit and which determines for each frame
component an individual code based on the basic data for the building, a
printing
device, such as an ink jet printer, for printing the code on the surface of
the
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2a
frame component, and a milling apparatus for making the notches tapering
towards the bottom as well as the main pieces to be fitted into them.
The apparatus of the present invention more precisely consists of an apparatus
for the fabrication of a plurality of frame components for a wooden wall frame
of
framework construction consisting of top and bottom stringers, vertical frame
components fitted between them and frame components designed especially for
openings, in which the frame components of the wall frame are joined to each
other via notch joints and in which each frame component is provided with
markings to facilitate installation, said apparatus comprising a computer
system
used for the dimensioning of each of the frame components as well as milling
assembly provided with a logic control unit for the machining of each of the
frame components, said logic control unit receiving the data for the machining
of
each of the frame components from said computer system, in which the milling
line comprises a frame, a conveyor for conveying each of the frame components
between different machining stages, and milling and cutting units for the
milling
and cutting of each of the frame components, characterised in that the
computer
determines for each frame component an identifying code identifying the frame
component in accordance with a construction plan and comprising at least the
type of the frame component, that the apparatus comprises a printing unit for
printing the identifying code on the surface of the frame component, and the
milling units produce a notch joint consisting of a splayed notch tapering
toward
its bottom and having a depth of 1- 10 mm, and a main piece fitted into it,
said
main piece tapering toward its end and having edges that substantially
correspond to the shape of the edges of the notch.
The system of the invention enables industrial fabrication of diversiform
buildings. The building method does not impose any restrictions on architec-
ture. The system of the invention allows easy construction of stepped struc-
tures and structures of changing height.
Using the system of the invention, the installation of a wooden framework for
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2b
a building can be made significantly easier and faster. The markings on the
frame comporients give a detailed definition of the type and properties of the
component in question. Moreover, the notches in the component and the
notch markings exactly and unambiguously define the position of the compo-
nent to be joined in a particular notch. The notches, being made in exactiy
the right positions, add to the rigidity of the wall structure. In addition,
the
system of the invention allows the making of diagonal joints. As the meas-
urements are defined relative to the centre of the notch, no measurement er-
rors can occur even in the case of diagonal joints.
Moreover, the apparatus of the invention provides a better possibility than
prior-art techniques to fabricate the wooden framework of a building from pre-
machined frame components cut to size and provided with the required
markings using a single apparatus directly on the building site, thus reducing
storage costs and space requirements.
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The dimensioning of the wooden frame can be effected e.g. using CAD soft-
ware to control an automatic machining line that cuts all components and
provides them with precise markings and notches so as to make them ready
for installation, taking the requirements of frame post spacing, insulation
and
panelling into account.
In the following, the invention will be described in detail by the aid of an
ex-
ample by referring to the attached drawings, in which
io Fig. 1 presents a wall frame of framework construction of changing height
according to the invention,
Fig. 2 presents a frame component according to the invention,
Fig. 3, 4 5, 6a and 6b present notch joints according to the invention,
Fig. 7a and 7b are more detailed illustrations of the notch joint of the inven-
tion,
2o Fig. 8 presents an apparatus according to the invention,
Fig. 9a and 9b present a turnable milling unit comprised in the apparatus of
the invention, as seen from the direction of the transverse axis and in front
view,
Fig. 10 presents a turnable milling unit comprised in the apparatus of the in-
vention as seen from the direction of the transverse axis and applied to the
milling of a diagonal joint, and
3o Fig. 11 a and 11 b presents a turnable milling unit comprised in the
apparatus
of the invention as a projection from the direction of the transverse axis, ap-
plied to the milling of a straight joint and a diagonal joint.
Fig. 1 shows a wall frame of framework construction of variable height ac-
cording to the invention. The wall frame comprises vertical members 1 of a
length that varies according to the height of the wall frame, placed at a dis-
tance from each other determined by the required frame post spacing, slop-
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ing top stringers 2 and a bottom stringer 3. At the window opening there are
vertical members 9, at the door opening vertical members 10, with horizontal
members 4 placed above these openings, with further vertical members 6,
placed centrally relative to the openings, above the horizontal members 4.
Placed below the window opening is yet another vertical member 7.
In Fig. 2, the frame component 3(bottom stringer) is provided with two
notches N about 5 mm deep extending across the stringer in its widthways
direction to allow the connection of other frame components e.g. about the
io mid portion of the component. The notches have sloping walls, reducing the
notch width towards the bottom of the notch. The notches are intended e.g.
for the joining of frame components for a window, in which case the distance
between them corresponds to the distance between the window frame com-
ponents. Moreover, the ends of the frame component may be provided with
is bevellings U tapering towards the end, so the ends of the component will
fit
into notches provided for joints in other timber components.
The frame component 3 is provided with an identifying code 30 printed on its
surface e.g. on the notched side at the end of the timber component, giving
20 the type and dimensions of the component. In Fig. 2, the code Sla/AJ2500
means the horizontal member placed below the window in section a of wall
frame S9 (in this case, the wall frame consists of several sections), whose
length is 2500 mm. The code may naturally be composed as desired, and it
may also contain other information than that proposed above. In addition, the
25 same component can be provided with the marking 31 <WINDOW printed
beside the window notch N to indicate a window notch (at the first end of the
window) and another marking 32 END> at the other window notch N (at the
second end of the window). Moreover, the bottom of the notch N may be pro-
vided with a code 33 S1a/AT2400 identifying the member to be joined to the
3o notch, thus giving precise information as to which member is to be attached
to a particular notch.
Fig. 3 - 5 and 6b present different joints LI in magnified view. Fig. 3 shows
a
rectangular joint DET. 1 between the upper end of a vertical member 7 and a
35 horizontal member 8, Fig. 4 shows a joint DET.2 between the right-hand end
of a horizontal member 4 and a vertical member 10 and Fig. 5 shows a joint
between the bottom stringer 3 and the lower end of a vertical member 10. A
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skewed joint, in which the members are not at right angles relative to each
other, between a vertical member 9 or 1 and a top stringer 2 is presented in
Fig. 6a and 6b.
~ Fig. 7a - 7c present a more detailed view of an example of a joint between
two members 4 and 10, the members being shown separately. The end of
frame component 4 has been machined into the shape of a straight letter U,
forming the male member of the joint LI. The end face PPU and the splayed
side surfaces SPU can be turned relative to the centre axis 100 to form an
to skewed joint, yet so that the components 4 and 10 are always dimensioned
in relation to the centre axis 100 so that the measurements remain unaltered
regardless of the joint angle. The bottom surface PPN and splayed side sur-
faces SPN of the notch joint are machined in locations and at angles defined
in the wall construction plan. Thus, the notch N may be either perpendicular
to the plane of cross-section of the object or in some other angle.
The surfaces PPU and SPU of the male member U are joined to the surfaces
PPN and SPN, respectively, of the female member so that the bottom sur-
face PPU goes against the end surface PPN and the side surfaces SPU go
against the side surfaces SPN. The various surfaces of the joint components
guide the male members U into the correct location and position in the
notches provided for them. The distance PP separating surface PPU of joint
component U and surface PPN of the notch N from the rear surface AP of the
member 10 remains unchanged regardless of the thickness P of the frame
components, so the joint ensures that the wall will preserve its design height
regardless of variations in material thickness. The components of the vertical
frame are so disposed that the frame component surface AP will be at the
end of the wall frame, thus ensuring that the wall frame wili preserve its de-
sign length regardless of variations in material thickness. In addition, all
the
frame components can be fastened to each other by using a fixing element
and/or fixing agent.
Using an apparatus as presented in Fig. 8, frame components according to
the construction drawing for a building with a wooden frame can be pro-
3i duced. The dimensions of the wooden frame are defined on a computer 81
using e.g. CAD software, which defines the measurements of each member
as well as the bevellings and notches to be made in each member. Based on
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these data, the machining line cuts all components and provides them with
precise markings, bevellings and notches as necessary so as to make them
ready for installation, taking the requirements of frame post spacing, insula-
tion and panelling into account.
For each frame component, the software also determines an identifying code
30 consistent with the installation drawings, each timber component being
given a part code defined on the basis of input data. The code specifies the
component type, i.e. the nature of the component, the place in the building
io where the component is to go, and its dimensions.
The code is composed of e.g. four parts, such as Sla/AV 562. The first part
S1 indicates the wall frame in the building to which the component belongs,
and the letter a following it indicates the section of the wall frame in cases
where the wall frame consists of several successive sections. The third part
AV defines the component type with a two-letter abbreviation; for instance,
frame post TT, top stringer YJ, bottom stringer AJ, horizontal beam AV for an
opening, frame post TL with a notch, frame post AL with an aperture and a
notch, frame post TA with an aperture. The last part gives the length dimen-
sion of the member.
Once each timber component has been assigned a code defining the type
and possible notches, the software will output the code data via a cable to
the logic control unit 82 of the machine tool section. The logic control unit
is
also supplied with data specifying the measurements of each component as
well as the bevellings and notches to be made in them.
The control unit 82 is mounted on the frame of the machine tool section of
the apparatus, said frame consisting of frame beams 82. The timber is con-
veyed by a roller conveyor 84 through the machine tool section. Also
mounted on the frame are the following parts, listed in order starting from
the
raw material supply end: first milling unit 85, first printer unit 86, second
mill-
ing unit 87 and cutting/milling unit 88, the operation of which is described
below in more detail.
The first milling unit 85 cuts in the frame component, which in the case of a
wooden building frame 200 typically is a piece of planed wood material hav-
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ing a width of 200 mm and a thickness of 50 mm, two notches N about 5 mm
deep, having bevelled sides and extending widthways across the timber
component. The notches are intended for the joining of e.g. window frame
components, in which case the distance between them corresponds to the
distance between the window frame components.
The printer unit 86 may consist of e.g. an ink jet printer, which prints an al-
phanumeric identifying code 30 as described above, indicating component
type and measurements, on one side of the frame component, at the end of
lo the component, e.g. on the side with the notches. In addition, the same tim-
ber component may be provided with markings 31-33.
The second milling unit 87 carries out the milling operations for the larger
notches to be made e.g. in the narrow edge of the frame component, such as
the notch for a frame beam, to be cut at the end or middle of the frame com-
ponent. A marking defining such a component is correspondingly made on
the surface of the component.
The cutting/milling unit 88, which is provided with a saw blade, cuts the
frame
component to size. Moreover, it has milling cutters for the cutting of bevel-
lings at the ends of the frame components, so that the ends will fit into
notches provided in other components. The whole cutting/milling unit 88 is
fitted on a swivelling frame 89 which can be turned about a transverse swing
axis 90 to allow cuts to be made for skewed joints. The axis is located at the
height of the centre line 100 of the timber component relative to the base 84.
Thus, the dimensioning in relation to the centre line 100 of the component
remains unchanged regardless of the angular position of the cutting/milling
unit 88 and the corresponding obliquity of the joint.
3o Fig. 9a, 9b, 10, 11 a and 11 b present more detailed illustrations of the
cut-
ting/milling unit 88. On the upper side, the unit comprises a rotating cutter
combination 91 having a saw blade 92 in the middle for the cutting of the tim-
ber component and milling cutters 93 of a smaller diameter on either side of
it
for the making of bevellings. On the lower side there is only a milling cutter
94 for the making of bevellings on the opposite side of the frame components
(Fig. 9a, 11 a). The upper combination 91 and the lower cutter 94 rotate on
axles 95,96. Fig. 9b presents the cutter assemblies in front view. It shows
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that they are not exactly aligned one over the other, but their drive shafts
95
and 96 have a small distance between them in the sideways direction. With
this arrangement, the saw blade 92 can cut deep enough to sever the timber
component without touching the lower milling cutter 94. In the case of a
skewed joint, the cutting/milling unit 88 is turned with respect to the axis
90,
in which case the saw blade will cut in an oblique direction as shown in Fig.
10, 11 b, and the bevellings are made in accordance with this oblique cut be-
cause the whole unit 88 turns through the same angle about the same axis.
Such a unit 88, which has milling cutters on either side of a saw blade for
the
io milling of the bevellings, makes it possible to produce several frame compo-
nents from the same piece of wood because bevellings are made at each
sawing end of the component in conjunction with the cutting.
It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that different embodiments of
the
invention are not restricted to the examples presented above, but that they
may be varied within the claims presented below.
